Enabling wild nature experiences in cities: A spatial analysis of institutional and physical barriers to using wild nature areas in Vienna, Austria

• The usability of wild nature areas (WNAs) is assessed at the city-scale. • Different institutional & physical barriers to using WNAs are considered. • WNAs are classified into six distinct clusters differing in usability. • WNAs of high usability dominate, but are located mainly in low-density built-up areas. • Integrated efforts are needed to increase WNAs’ usability especially in inner cities. Wild nature in cities can allow urban residents to experience and connect with nature close to their homes. Previous research has shown that wild nature areas (WNAs) can be found in various urban greenspaces, such as remnant vegetation in forests, wild corners in parks, or spontaneous vegetation on informal sites. However, little is known about their usability for urban residents and their potential to provide wild nature experiences across different urban environments. This paper examines the usability of WNAs in Vienna (Austria) through a spatial analysis of the institutional and physical barriers to use, considering barriers related to the availability, accessibility, and attractiveness of these greenspaces. A city-wide map of WNAs (n = 1298) was overlaid with spatial data on the presence of institutional and physical barriers, and complemented with a hierarchical cluster analysis to identify WNAs that share similar usability patterns. The cluster analysis confirms that WNAs vary significantly with regard to usability and that their usability is frequently constrained by the presence of multiple barriers. Furthermore, the usability of WNAs tends to be lower in high-density built-up areas, indicating that the possibilities to experience wild nature in the inner city are limited both in terms of lack of availability and relatively poor usability. We conclude that improving the usability of WNAs demands tailored and integrated approaches to urban planning and greenspace management and provide suggestions of how the usability of each identified WNA cluster can be increased.